1999-02-01Special Called Workshop of City Council

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_ _ REQUEST FOR POTABLE WATER SAN JACINTO STAlE PARK TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND wn..DLIFE Page 3 Although not in tlhe City's ETI, the Park is part of the Bayshore area, with no other alternative source of water other than well or construction of a new surface water treatment plant. The transmission line, while lengthy, passes a number of potential customers that could pay for the development of the line, as well as capital costs for water capacity. The amount of water requested is large, but will only be needed for peak visitor periods, primarily on weekends and holidays. It has been suggested by city staff that the Park consider construction of storage and pumping facilities, which would reduce the requested demand, and eliminate pressure and water quality issues associated with the mixing of ground and surface water. The request assumes that the Park distribution system would operate on La Porte's pressure plane, with the need for supplemental pumping and disinfection eliminated. However, the Park may continue to pump up to 10% of annual usage from groundwater, creating problems with disinfection and backflow. This situation would be considered a cross connection, in violation of TNRCC rules and good utility management. It is recommended that the Park construct storage and pumping facilities, should the City elect to provide water, to eliminate problems associated with low pressures, inadequate disinfection, and cross connection control. The request that tlIte City of La Porte operate and maintain the Park's distribution system as a part of La Porte's system is not recommended. Additional personnel would be needed to adequately service this system, and the City would be liable for any water quality issues associated with the distribution system. The potential for "dead" water due to stagnation and loss of disinfection is one that needs to be addressed by on-site personnel. The City of Deer Park has also requested water at the intersection of SH 225 and SH 134 (new Battleground Road). This will require the extension of water from the existing terminus of La Porte's water system on the north side of SH 225 and Underwood road several hundred feet west to accommodate the need for temporary water to irrigate plantings along SH 225. We are in preliminary discussions with Deer Park staff to accommodate this request. This extension would also be necessary for the San Iacinto Battleground request. Some cost sharing of this portion of the proposed line is possible. Two previous surveys did not identify any potential customers along SH 134 (Battleground Road), but the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District may require firms with groundwater pumping permits to convert to surface water if the water and transmission facilities become available. The City may wish to consider oversizing the line to serve additional customers on SH 134 above the recommended eight inch (8") line sIze.